Welcome

Welcome to the Ridley Educational Foundation

Fostering Creativity and Vision in the Ridley School District

The Ridley Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 that raises private dollars through tax-deductible contributions to enrich educational opportunities and to support innovation and excellence in the schools of the Ridley School District. This goal is accomplished by funding grants for teachers and by strengthening communication between the community and the schools.

The REF operates independently from the Ridley School district for the primary benefit of its students. Funds raised by the Foundation promote and enhance educational programs and activities that are not normally funded within the constraints of the school districts operating budget.

The REF is a registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation. Contributions may be made in cash, check, by pledge, gifting of stock, bequest, or as a named life insurance beneficiary or IRA. The official registration and financial information of Ridley Educational Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Your support enables us to fund grants, scholarships, and other initiatives to support teachers and students in the Ridley School District.

You can support the Ridley Educational Foundation in many ways:

• Donations
• Share our mission and work with others
• Purchase a commemorative brick at Ridley High School or other specialty items
• Shop at The Locker

HARLEM WIZARDS VS. RIDLEY ALL STARS – MARCH 10TH.

It was a terrific night of fun filled basketball when the Ridley All-Stars took on the Harlem Wizards in a spirited game filled with dunks, ally-oops, and trick shots. More than 1,000 people were on hand to experience the game. Thanks to everyone who participated to make this a tremendously successful event. See you next year!

SPOTLIGHT ON GRANT WINNERS

MATH MANIA – MAD ABOUT MANIPULATIVES Math Mania is a project implemented by the 5th grade Grace Park Team of Jackie Brockman and Jamie Gross. They supplemented the Everyday Math Curriculum with hands

on activities to support student learning. Manipulatives include a fraction tiles activity set for small group instruction, visual anchor charts, white boards that support place value of whole numbers and decimals, fraction tiles, and display white boards for place value. The students were highly engaged with the manipulatives and learning fractions became a fun activity. The equipment was purchased as part of a grant from the Ridley Educational Foundation.

LETTUCE EAT: HYDROPONICS TO PLATE. Horticulture and Gang Green students learn how to use a larger hydroponic system that allows them to mass produce fresh lettuce for the school cafeteria. Students experiment with growing different types of lettuce, which allows students to taste a variety of fresh lettuces and hopefully encourage them to eat healthy food. Students take pride in knowing that they grew the lettuce and will be able to see (and taste) the result of their efforts.

A vertical NFT system is utilized by Horticulture and Gang Green students to learn how to hydroponically grow lettuce that can be distributed to Ridley High School students through the cafeteria salad bar. Students hone their scientific observation skills as they monitor the growth of the lettuce. Factors to record observations about include: amount of sunlight, pH of water, temperature of greenhouse, amount and type of nutrients, and variety of lettuce seed. Students will reseed every few weeks to keep the vertical NFT system producing with little downtime.

Students will be in charge of starting lettuce seed in a humidity chamber and transplanting them to the vertical NFT system (nutrient film technique). They will then monitor the nutrients and pH of the system, as well as the growth of the lettuce. Students will determine which varieties of lettuce do best in our outdoor greenhouse conditions by monitoring the temperature and light received by the growing lettuce. Students will then harvest the lettuce and deliver it to the school cafeteria for consumption.

POP-UP PLANTS

Under the direction of sponsors JoAnn Simmons, Michelle Biada, and Kelli Goldstein students at the middle school continue to develop the outdoor classroom and garden. A recent addition is a mural, designed and painted by RHS senior Joe Castagna as part of his Eagle Scout project.

The.Ridley Middle School has started a Garden Club, open to all grade levels.Students who learn through nature witness patience, responsibility, delayed gratification, respect for life and appreciation for living things. Indoor plants are a way to add nature to a school setting, especially during winter months. Students who participate in the club take a part of school home with them and watch it continue to grow creating a new type of learning connection. Plants have been seen as a way to help people overcome trauma in addition to purifying the air and increasing indoor humidity.

RMS Garden Club students will take cuttings from plants purchased with grant funds, propagate and transplant them into clay pots that have been decorated by the student. We are choosing to use only biodegradable or recycled materials in an effort to decrease the carbon footprint of this project. Students will also have the chance to germinate tomato seedlings, transplant them and take plants home to be planted in the ground.

NEW KID BOOK CLUB

During the 2024-2025 school year, newly registered students at Ridley High School have received their very own copy of the graphic novel New Kid, written and illustrated by Jerry Craft! This “New Kid Book Club” ~ funded by the Ridley Educational Foundation ~ is designed to promote both literacy and community, welcoming newly enrolled students to Ridley High School and letting them know that they are not alone in feeling like a “new kid.” Another aim of the book club is to promote awareness of the library and its resources among new students in grades 9-12. The welcome gift includes a note inviting students to visit the library to receive a bookmark with a motivational quote and a sticker. An informal, after-school book club meeting will be held during the Spring semester so that students can share their thoughts about the book over snacks. I’ve also added a New Kid: We Fit Together puzzle to the library’s collection! Since kicking off the program in September, Amy has personally welcomed eighteen new students to Ridley High School by sharing this amazing graphic novel with them!

REF Sponsors the Winter Games

The Ridley Educational Foundation is a proud sponsor of Ridley High School’s  annual Winter Games.  The event was held on January 17 and brought together students from Ridley, Chichester, Penncrest, and Springfield.   The Winter Games are designed to foster community, inclusion, and sportsmanship. The strength, determination, and talents of student athletes of all abilities were showcased in a series of competitions including bowling, basketball, cornhole ,and relays. From the opening ceremonies to the dance party finale, students enjoyed a wonderful day of competition

The success of Ridley High School’s Winter Games was made possible through the collaboration of the Ridley School District, Ridley Educational Foundation and a dedicated team of volunteers. Including numerous Ridley teachers and staff members.

ALUMNI WEAR                                          The Ridley Educational Foundation has partnered with The Locker, the student run store at Ridley High School, to produce a line of Alumni Wear. The items can be customized with the year of graduation. Order at www.thelocker,biz. The polo and hoodie are priced at $35 and the t-shirts at $15. This would be a great way to commemorate a class reunion.

BAG BINGO

Thanks to the local businesses that donated to our Bag Bingo Event!

Delco Axe House Elevated Media Solutions Flick of the Wrist

Hedgerow Theatre Jennifer Stephano Kearney Photography Salon de Saville

Sciarrino’s Pizza Zac’s Burgers